Letter-canceling machine.



Patented Dec. Il, |900.

@E6 @Y @M2 we Ncnms PETERS co. moro-ums.. WASHINGTON. n. c.

'N6 663,663. 6 Patenfedne. u, |900. w. l. oHMEn, J. N. KELLY 6 w. M.KELcH. LETTER CANCELING MACHINE.

(Application led. Apr. 4. 1899.) (No Modeh) 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 me NomsPETERS co.. snow-umu.. wAsmNoToN, D. c.

No. 663,663. K 'Patented Dec. Il, |900.

v w. HMER, J. N. KELLY & w. M. KELCH.

LETTER CNGLING MACHINE.

(Application led Apr. 4, 1899.) (No Mqdel.)

9 Sheets-Sheet 3.

TH: Nonm's Psrsns oo. woraumo.. vvAsmmsToM ne.

Pmted uw. n, |900. w. l. oHMEn, .1. AN.. KELLY & w. M. 'KELcH LETTERGANCELING'MAGHINE.

(Application filedt Apr. 4, 1899.) (No Model.)

9 Sheets-Sheet 4.

mi ugnms PETERS Co, vnoournu. wAsHmcTN. u.

yN0. 663,663. Y Patented Dec. Il, i900. W. l. DHMEB, J. N. KELLY & W. M.KELCH.

LETTER GANCELING MACHINE.

L (Application led -Apr. 4, 1899.) (No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 5(Application med pi- 4, 1899.)

'f Tus Nonms PETERS a. PHoraLlruo..w^smNuTaN.61.04.

LETTER CNGELING MAGIHNE.-v

w. l. oHMEn, J. N. KELLY 6 w. M. KELcH.

(No Model.)

No. 663,663. Patemd Dec. ",wno. w. mman, J. N. KELLY c. w. M. KgLcH.

LETTER CANCELING MACHINE.

9 Sheets-Sheet 7.

(Applicatiqn lled. Apr. 4, 1899.)

(No Modal.)

Arg-a @we Y m: Nonms Przns co, Pnnoumo.. WASHINGTON. n. c.

No. 663,663. 1 Patented neu.' Il, |9oo. w. mman, .1 -N. KELLY. @L w. M.KELcH. L ETTER-CANCELING MACHINE.

(Appncacion med Apr. 4, 1899.) l (No Model.) l 9 Sheets-Sheet 8.

SMM

. Patented nec. |900. l w. l. oHMEn, .1. N xELL-'Y & w. M. KELCH.

LETTER CANCELING MACHINE. v

(Application fded Apr. 4, 1899.)

(No Model.)

w: Ncmms PETERS co4 vno'raurnc., wAsmNs'ron. n, c.

UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

wiLEEED i. OHMEE, JOSEPH N. KELLY, ANDwALLAcE t1. KELcH, 0E DAYTON, omo;sAiD KELLY AND KELcH AssieNoRs To sAiD' OHMER.

i- ETTER-CANQELING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 663,663, datedDecember 11, Application filed April 4, 1899. Serial No. 711,752- KNOmOdeLJ To all whom it may 'concer-n.-

Be it known that we, WILFRED I. OHMER,A

JOSEPH N. KELLY, and WALLACE M. KELCH, citizens of the United States,residing at Daychines, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the ac` companying drawings.

rlhis invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inmachines for canceling and stamping the time, place, and date oumail-matter.

The .objects of this invention are, first, to provide mechanism forindicating on each piece ot' inail-matter the exact time it is canceledwithoutv the necessity of stopping the machine to set the time-printingmechanism for each successive piece of inail-matter, the mechanism beingautomatically so set or operated by means of clock mechanism; second, toprovide improved feeding mechanism which will release the mail-matter atthe propel' time to allow it to momentarily remain still while beingoperated upon by the printing mechanism.

Thisinvention also relates to details of con` struction hereinafterappearing, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, on which:

like reference characters indicate corresponding parts, Figure lis aplanview; Fig. 2, a side elevation with the parts broken away to show theinterior operating mechanism; Fig. 3, a rear end elevation; Fig. 4, aninverted plan View of the base-plate and operating mechanism mountedbeneath the same, such operating mechanism being shown in its normalposition; Fig. 5, a partial plan View showing the .parts in printingposition; Fig. 6, an enlarged inverted plan View of a portion of thebase-plate. showing the operating mechanism located beneath the same andshowing the manner in which it operates; Fig. 7, a longitudinalsectional View through the plunger and printing-head, showing the mannerin which the printing characters are connected with the clock mechanism;Fig. S, a side elevation of the printing-head; Fig. 9, a front elevationof the same; Fig. Vl0, a sectional View of such printing-head on theline man of I Fig. 8; Fig. 11, a plan View of the printinghead; Fig. 12,a detail View of the"A and P wheel, (forenoon and afternoon Fig. 13, adetail plan View of the operating-cam; Fig. 14, a sectional View of thesame on the line 'y y of Fig. 13; Fig. 15, a detail View of thecanceling-roll inker and showing the manner in which the same isoperated in and out of 'contact with said canceling-roll; Fig. 16, a

plan View of the same; Fig. 17, a sectional view ou the line z z of Fig.l5; Fig. 18, adetail front view of the dating-wheels; Fig. 19, a sideelevation of the same; Fig. 20, a piece of canceled and stampedmail-matter; Fig.

2,1, a detail perspective view of a portion of' the machine, showing thecanceling-roll; and

-place and date, such time being indicated by a clock-face.

It is o t'ren of great importance for the receiver of the mail to knowthe exact time when such mail-matter was canceled and is a safecriterion by which to calculate the exact time between thevsending-point and the receiving-point,which may be alike bothbeneficial to the receiver as also the sender in numerous ways.

In order to obtain a better understanding of this invention, it will beunderstood that it is composed of three principal features namely,postal feeding and canceling mechanism, time, place, and datingmechanism, and mail delivering or releasing mechanism.

We will tirstdescribe the postal feeding and canceling mechanism, suchmechanism being adapted Lo feed the mail-matter into position for it toreceive the impression of the stamping mechanism and also into positionto be acted upon by the mail delivering or releasing mechanism.

Upon a suitable pedestal A is mounted a platform such platform havingthe saine IOO IvO

dimensions as the dimensions of the flanges C projecting from the upperend of the pedestal. Projecting beneath such platform is a box-likestructure or housing` D, which extends within the recess E in the upperface of the pedestal. Within this housing is mounted all of theoperating mechanism, which extends beneath the platform, so that it iskept free from dust and other foreign matter which might disturb thefree and easy working. of the machine. From each side of the platformand at the rear end thereof extends a table F, such table being fiushwith the top of the platform and supported at its rear end by means of aleg or standard G. Mail-guiding partitions H and I, respectively,project upward from the platform or table on either side of the printingand dating mechanism sufficiently to prevent the mail-matter from beinginterfered with by the various mechanisms contained in the machine. Thespace upon the feeding side of the machine we will term thefeeding-space and indicate the same by the letter J, while the space Kon the opposite side of the machine we willterm the delivering-space, itbeing the space into which the mail is projected as it passes throughthe canceling and stam ping operating parts of the machine, as willhereinafter appear. From Fig. 1 particularly it will be observed thatthe feeding-space has a long slot L therein. Above this slot is mounteda slide or follower-plate M, such slide having a hole N therein throughwhich extends a hand-screw O, having a handle P. From Fig. 3 it will beobserved that this hand-screw is screwed into the guide-plate Q, whichprojects into the said groove and acts to guide the slide M along theslot. To the slide is secured one end of a cord which passes over apulley R, mounted in the outer end of the slot. The other end of saidcord is secured to a drum S, which is supported bya bracket T, carriedby the ange C, and has secured to it one end of a spiral spring U, theother end of which is preferably secured to a shaft V, as shown at V.When the slide or foilower-plate M has advanced into close proximity tothe pulley R, the spiral spring has wound the drum and most ot' the cordthereon. As the slide is moved to the other or outer end of the slotsuch spring is uuwound, and consequently7 will immediately act on theslide to return it to its normal or inner position, the hand-screwacting to limit or hold the slide in any desired position for thepurpose hereinafter appearing. At one end of the feeding-space ismounted a plate or cross-partition 2, secured to the base-plate orplatform by means of screws This plate or partition is slotted, as shownat 3 in Fig. 3 and Fig. 21 particularly. From Fig. 2 it will be observedthat this slot has its edges dovetailed, as shown at 4,.for thereception of a sliding feed 5,such feed having teeth projecting towardthe center of the machine and extending through the plate 2 for thepurpose of engaging with mail-matter to feed it into engagement withfeed-rolls hereinafter described. To the back end of the feed 5 ispivoted one end of a pitman 9, as shown at 10, while the other end ofthe pitman is carried by a stud l1, projecting froma reciprocating yoke12, such yoke being pivoted, as shown at 13, for the purpose ofpermitting such reciprocation. This yoke is reciprocated by means of aneccentric 14, txedly mounted on the upper end of a shaft 15, such shaftprojecting downward through the base or platform of the machine andcarrying at its lower end a initier-gear 16 and extending within astepped support 17. The gear 1.6 meshes with and is driven by adriving-miter 18, which is placed on the inner end of a shaft 19,extending through the sleeve 20, screwed through the casing or box D,the outer end vof said shaft being adapted to receive a pulley 21 orother suitable driving device-say for driving the machine by hand. Thusasthe pulley is rotated the shaft 15 is rotated, and consequently thefeed device 5 is caused to operate back and forth to feed themail-'matter to the feed-rolls above mentioned.

Referring again to the shaft 15, it will be understood that this is themain drivingshaft and that upon it vis mounted not only an operating-cam22, but the main drivinggear 23, the latter of 4which acts to drive -thefeed-rolls, as also the canceling-roll and the ejecting-rolls, to bereferred to hereinafter. rIhis main driving-gear has spur-teeth 24: onits outer periphery and on its under side carries bevel-teeth 25.- Aspur-driven gear 26 meshes with the spur-teeth 24 of said driving-gear,such driven gearbeing mounted on the lower end of the feed-roll shaft 27and having a bearing atits upper end in a bracket 28, screwed orotherwise secured to the base or plat-form by means of screws 29. Abovethe base andupon said shaft are mounted two feed rolls 30 and 3l,respectively, each of which has its peripherycutout a like extent, asshown at 32 in Fig. l, such cut-ont portions in the feed-rolls standingone above the other. It will also be understood that there is a spacebetween them, in which reciprocates the pitman 9, above described. Theserolls project slightly through the plate or partition 2, so that theywill engage or come in contact with mail-matter fed to them. Oppositethe roll 31 is mounted another feed-roll 34, similarly constructed, uponthe shaft 35, carried in yieldable bearings 36 and 37, respectively, oneof which is carried by one arm of a bracket 38, secured to the base bymeans of screws 39 or in any other suitable manner, and the other ofwhich is carried by the base. Since both of these bearings are similarlymounted, a description of one will answer for both. Between the movablebearings 36 and the inner end of slot 37 in the bracket is interposed aspring 38', carried by studs 39 and 40, projecting from the inner end ofthe slot and bearing, respectively. Thus the yieldable IOO IIO

bearings are held to the outer ends of the slots, so that the roller 34will be pressed sufficiently close to the roller 3l to permit ofgripping mail-matter to-feed it to the printing mechanism. In order,however, to limit the pressure of the roller 34 upon the roller 3l, weprovide a set-screw 35', which acts to limit the movement of the bearing36 toward the front of the slot. Opposite the feed-roll 3'0 is mounted acanceling-roll 4l, such feed-roll being constructed of'brass, alloy,orother suitable material. This canceling-roll also has its periphery cutout to match the feedroll mounted above it, there being a similarspaee42 between such feed-roll and such cancelingroll as between thefeed-rolls 30 and 3l. On the lower end of the shaft 35 is mounted amitergear 43, which meshes with a similar gear 44, slidably supported onthe shaft 45, such shaft being mounted in a fixed bearing-bracket 46 anda sliding bearingbracket 47, the latter of which is adapted to slide inways 48, screwed or otherwise secured to the under side of the base,such sliding bearing-bracket being for the purpose of permitting thecanceling-roll and the feeding-roll both to be separated from theiradjacent rolls at predetermined times, so that the mail-matter will bereleased at such times by the roll, for the purpose hereinafterappearing.

We have now described the manner in which the feeding-rolls and thecancelingroll are mounted and also the manner in Whichthey are driven.Before leaving this branch of the subject we will describe theinkingdevice for in king the cancelingroll.

By referringr to Fig. l5 it will be seen that to the inner side of thepartition H We have mounted a sliding plate 49 in a dovetailed groove 50in said plate. To this sliding plate is pivotallysecured an inking-rollbracket 5l by means of a screw 52. The inking-roll bracket is bifurcatedand has mounted in such bifurcation a collar 53 upon a shaft 54,projectingr upward from the inking-roll 55 into the bracket. The collar53 is pinned or otherwise secured to said stem by means of a pin 57. Aspring 58, mounted on studs 59 and 60, acts to hold the inking-roller incontact with the canceling-roll. In order to disengage the inkingrollfrom the canceling-roll, whereby the canceling of the postage may beomitted, we provide a pivoted sectorl, pivoted upon a stud 62, screwedin the partition H. This sector engages with a rack 63, carried by aslide 49. The upper end of the sector carries a handle 64 and ascrew-threaded detent 65, the latter of which is adapted to screw intothe depression 66 in the plate when t-he inking-roll is in inkingposition and into another depression 67 when the sector has raised theinking-roll out of inking contact with the canceling-roll. (See Figs l5and 16.) As soon as the inking-roll is removed from contact with thecancelingeroll such roll will fail to properly cancel the postage, asthere is no ink on the canceling-roll for such purpose,

Referring now to the printing and dating mechanism, (see particularlyFig. 7,) it will be observed thatit is composed of a plunger 68,extending through a bracket 38 and through a support 3S", and on theouter end of which is mounted a printing-head 69. This plunger is boredont longitudinally, as shown at 70 in' Fig. 7, and within such hole ismounted ahollow shaft7l,which we term the hour-shaft, such shaft beingenlarged at its forward end, as shown at. 72. Upon the outer end of thisenlargement projects a V-shaped or arrowshaped figure 73, (see Fig. 9,)which is adapted to indicate the hour on a clock-dial 74, surroundingsuch enlargement,in a manner hereinafter appearing. Within this'hollowshaft is mounted another shaft 75, which we term the minute-shaft.larged at its outer end, as shown at 76, and has mounted upon suchenlarged end a raised figure representing the minute hand of a clock, asindicated at 77, (see Fig. 9,) such hand being also rotatable toindicate various hours on the clock-dial above referred to. We willrefer to the manner in which these shafts are operated. Op the platformor base is mounted a clock of any ordinary or approved type, asindicated at 78. To the minute-post of such clock is secured a slottedsleeve 79 by means of a pin 80, within whose outer end is mounted theinner end of the minuteshaft 75, such minuteshaft being made to turnwith the sleeve by means of a pin Sl, such pin, however, permittingiheminute-shaft to move back and forth in the slotted sleeve 79. Near theinner end of the plunger 68 is mounted a spur-gear 82 upon theminute-shaft, such spur-gear being secured to said shaft by means of apin 83. This spul-gear meshes with a double spurgear S4, which isrotatably supported by a projection b`5,extending upward from theplunger. Another spur-gear 86, carried by the inner end of thehour-shaft, also meshes with the said double gear. Thus the movement ofthe clock is transmitted to the minute and hour shafts, and thegearsjust described have such relation to each other that` thehour-shaft rotates with the correct relative speed to the minute-shaft.Beneath the dial 74 on the plate 89 is formed in raised letters the nameof the postofice, together with the name of the State, while on theright: hand side of the dial, as viewed in Fig. 9, is formed the letterM, and ou the left-hand side the letter A or P is exhibited, accordingto whether before or after noon, such letters being formed on theperiphery of the A and P segment, as illustrated at 90 in Figs. l0 andl2. ment is mounted on a shaft 92, carrying on its outer end a crank 93,pinned or otherwise secured thereto, by which the shaft is rotated tobring the proper character into the opening 91. A cap 94 acts as asupport for the shaft 92 and is let into the side of the head 69 andheld in such position by means 0f a This shaft is also en! IOO IIO

This A and P seg- Y screw 95 engaging with the cap and head. In order tohold the letters iA7 and P in their exposed position, the outer endofthe crank 93 is provided with a spring-detent 96, which is adapted toengage with one or the other of the holes or depressions 97 in a cap 98,such cap acting to hold dating-rings within the head 69. This cap issecured to the head by means of screws 99 engaging with both the headand cap. A shaft 100 extends longitudinally through the head 69 and hasmounted upon it numerous dating-rings b, c, d, and e. (See Figs. 1 and18 particularly.) The ring a, has the names of the months thereon, whilethe ring b has numbers thereon from 0 to 9,7 inclusive, and on the ringc from l to inclusive. This latter ring may have several series of suchnumbers. The rings CZ and e are numbered to correspond With the year inwhich they are to be used, such as the year 99, e. To each of thesedating-rings are secured ratchet-plates f, g, h, t', and j,respectively, such ratchetplates being adapted to be engaged by pawls ordetents la, pivot-ally mounted above them upon apin m, such detentsprojecting through slots in the upper face of the head 69. (See Figs. 7to 10.) These detents extend rearwardly from the pin fm, and beneathsuch rear ends are mounted little springs n, let into cups o. Let ussuppose it is desired to change the month, say December to January. Thisis accomplished by means of a spanner or other suitable device adaptedto engage with the Spanner-sleeve 101, which projects from themonth-ring aand is enlarged at its outer end in the form of a disk,having suitable notches 102 therein. As this ring is turned so as topresent the new month one of the pawls lo engages another tooth of theratchetwheel f, thus holding said wheel in its set position. From thedating-ring projects asleeve 103, which fits upon the sleeve 101. Thissleeve is also provided with a notched spanner-disk 104, by which thesleeve and dating-ring may be rotated. The ring c is also provided witha sleeve 105, mounted upon the sleeve 103 and likewise provided with anotched Spanner-disk 106. The ringsd and e are also provided withsleeves 107 and 108, respectively, and each provided with a notchedSpanner-disk 109 and 110, respectively. Of 'course it will be understoodthat the numbers and characters on these dating-rings are raised in amanner similar to that shown in Fig. 19 at 111. We have now describedthe manner in which the time is indicated in the dating mechanism andhow such mechanism is manipulated to present the proper date, and weshall proceed to describe the manner in which such dating and printingmechanism is inked.

It will be seen that to the under side of the base or platform ispivoted a lever 112 (see Fig. 6) upon a pivot 113. One end of this levercarries a roller 114, which is mounted in the path of the cam 22 on themain drivingshaft 15, as stated heretofore. The other end of the leveris slotted, as shown at 115, and engages with the roller 116, carriedbya clamping-collar 117, adapted to embrace a shaft 118 and be clampedthereto by means of a screw 119. The shaft 118 projects upward throughthe base and has mounted thereon a bifurcated bracket 120. (See Fig. 7.)This bifurcated bracket has pivoted between its bifurcated endsinking-roller Shanks 121, carrying an inking-roll122, such inking-rollbeing carried to one side of the plunger and inkinghead above described.When the parts are in position as indicated by fulllinesin Fig. 4, theinking-roll just described is in the position indicated in Fig. 1. Whilein such position, it will be observed that the head 69 is flush with thecurved plate 123, which acts as a guide to guide the roller onto theinking-face 89. A spring 124 normally holds the inking-roll inengagement with such curved plate and presses it against the inkingcharacters as the inkingroll is operated to the dotted position asindicated in Fig. 1 in a manner presently to appear. By referring toFig. 4 it will be seen that the cam 22 is in such position that thelever 112 will remain inoperative; but as the machine is set in motionthe cam will travel in the direction of the arrow and will move thelever 112 from the full-line position as shown in Fig. 4 to thefull-line position as shown in Fig. 6 or from the dotted position inFig. 6 to its full-line position. This movement will cause the shaft 118to be partially rotated, and since the bifurcated bracket is rigidlyconnected therewith it will be advanced, together with the inking-roll122, carried thereby. This will cause the inking-roll to travel acrossthe face of the printing-head to the position illustrated in dottedlines in Fig. 1, thus inking the printing characters. As the cam isstill further operated the roller 114, together with its lever 112, willbe returned to its normal position, thereby returning the inking-roll toits normal position. The next operation which takes place is theadvancement of the plunger 68 to impress the mailmatter with the dateand other data desired. We will now describe the manner in which this isaccomplished. It will be observed that to the under side of the base orplatform is pivotally mounted a radius-bar 125 upon a stud 126. (SeeFig. 6.) To the opposite end of this radius-bar is pivoted theplunger-pitman 126', while a short distance from the end of such bar iscarried a roller 127 in the path of the cam 22. When the cam advancesfrom its normal position, as shown in Fig. 6, until the portion of itscircumference A as indicated by the arrows A" moves nearly one-half of arevolution, the plunger-pitman will be at rest, thus permitting theinking-roller to perform its function; but as the cam continues toadvance until the portion A' travels around to the position B (indicatedby the arrows 13") or substantially three-quarters of a revolution (seeFig. 6) the roller 127 will be thrown to its rear IOO IIO

dotted-line position and the pitman 126 will be ad vanced to itsdotted-line position. 'lhis will partially .rotate the stud-plate 128from the full-line position around to the dotted position, as also shownin Fig. 6. The plate 128 is rigidly attached to thelower end of asectorshaftl29, which projects upward through the base and has mountedupon its upper end a sector 130. (See Figs. 1 and 5.) This sectorengages with a rack 131,bolted or otherwise secured to the side of theplunger 68. From the stud-plate 128 projects an arm 132. (See Fig.

6.) Such arm has secured to it at its outer end a spring 133, which issecured at its other end tol a pin 134, projecting downward from thebase. This spring is normally mounted under tension, so that when thecam has advanced to substantially B position the roller 127, togetherwith the pitman 126, will be instantly moved forward to its dotted'position. (Illustrated in Fig. 6.) This will cause the sector engagingwith the rack 131 to be thrown to its full-line position as indicated inFig. 5. As the cam rotates from the position B through the arc of acircle C it will cause the roller 127, as also the pitman 126, to returnto its normal position, thus operating the sector in the oppositedirection to cause the plunger to return to its normal position, asindicated in Fig. 1.

We have now described the manner in which the plunger, together with theprinting-head, is carried forward to and returned from its printing orstamping position.

We will now refer to the mail delivering or releasing mechanism. (SeeFigs. 1 and 5.)

y This consists of a pair of rolls similar-to the feed-rolls andarranged in line therewith, as also a device for forcing the mail-matterout of the path of the next piece of mail-matter. On the shaft 135 ismounted these releasingrolls 136 and 137, respectively. The upper endot' the shaft 135 is supported in the bearing 138 in the bracket 28,while its lowerend projects through the base and has mounted therein abevel-gear 139, (see Fig. 6,) such bevel-gear meshing with a similargear 140, carried by a shaft 141, supported by one branch 142 of thebifurcated bracket 143. The other end ofsaid shaft carries a bevelgear144, which meshes with a bevel-gear 145 upon the under face of the gear23. The gear 139 transmits motion to a gear 146, supported on one end ofa shaft 147, s-uch shaft being mounted on a slidable bearing 148 and inthe bifurcated bracket 143. Between these bearings and upon the shaft ismounted a sleeve miter-gear 149, which meshes with a mitergear 150,mounted on the lower end of a releasing-roller shaft 151, such shaftextending and yieldable bearing, respectively. A limiting-screw 157limits the movement of the releasing-rolls 158 and 159, respectively,toward the releasing-roll136, above described. It will be understoodthat the releasing-rolls 158 and 159 have a portion of their peripherycut away in a manner similar to the feed-rolls heretofore described forthe purpose hereinafter appearing. The shaft 151 also extends through ayieldable bearing in the slotted base, such bearing being shown at 160.A spring similar to the spring 153 is mounted between the bearing andthe rear end of the slot in the base, as indicated at 161, and is alsomounted upon centering-pins 162 and 163. Thus it will be seen that thereleasing-rolls 158 and 159 are yieldably mounted. This is for thepurpose of permitting various thicknesses of mail-matter to readily passbetween the releasing-rolls. Upon the releasing-roll shaft 135 ismounted a spur-gear 164, which is keyed or otherwise secured thereto.This spur-gear is between the releasing-rolls 136 and 137 and is adaptedto mesh with an idlergear 165, carried bya bracket 166, screwed orotherwise secured to the plate or partition 2. This bracket alsosupports the driven gear 167, to the upper face of which is screwed acurved stem 168, which is adapted to rotate through a slot 169 in thepartition 2 for the purpose of pushing or kicking mail-matter away fromthe next succeeding piece of mailmatter as it leaves the releasing-rollsabove referred to.

Referring now to the operation of the machine, it will be understoodthat the mailmatter is placed within the delivery-space J between 'thepartition 2 and the follower-plate M, such follower-plate being movedalong the slot L to accommodate the Varying number of letters and othermail-matter which may be placed upon the table. As soon as such lettersare in position the screw-handle P is released and the action of thespiral spring U causes the follower-plate to push such letters along thedelivery space and hold them snugly in contact. with the feed-plate,which engages one letter at a time and feeds the same into thefeeding-rolls, so that they may act on such mail-matter to feed the samealong beyond the printing-head to the dotted position, as shown lin Fig.5 at ct. While mail-matter has been advanced to this position, theinking-roll 122 has been operated across the inking-head and back to itsnormal position, ready for the head to print the date, the time, and theplace on said mailmatter, such printing being accomplished by theadvancement of the printing-head into contact with such mail-matter inthe manner heretofore described. It will be understood, however, that asthe printing-head advances into contact with the mail-matter thefeedingrolls separate or spread apart, so as to free themselves fromlsuch mail matter. This spreading of the feed-rolls is accomplished'bymeans of the lever 170, (see Fig. 6,) pivoted IOO IZO

ige

upon a stud 171, carried by the under side of the base. To this lever issecured a pitman 172, which engages with one of the levers 173, pivotedupon the stud 174. The other end of the lever 173 carries a roller 175,which travels in a cam-groove 22. When the cam operates this lever sothat it travels from the full-line position as shown inFig. 6 to itsdotted position, shown broken away, the lever 170 will slide thebevel-gear 44E on the shaft 45, which action willcause the movablefeedroll shaft 35 to move backward with its bearings. As soon as thelever 173 is returned to normal position byl means of said cam theyielding bearings will be thrown to theirnormal position by means oftheir springs above described. As soon as the printinghead returns toits normal position the feedrolls again come into position to again gripthe mail-matter and advance it into position for the releasing-rolls toengage therewith. The delivery-rolls travel about twice as fast as thefeeding-rolls, and in order to prevent them from engaging with themail-matter before the'feeding-rolls have released them We have cut awaya portion of the periphery of the delivery-rolls 158 and 159, which willdelay the engagement of such mail-matter by such delivery-rolls. Thisarrangement prevents the mail 'from being gripped by both the deliveryand feeding rolls at the same time and from tearing the mail.

Referring again to the feeding-rolls, it will be understood that theyare cut out, as heretofore described, for the purpose of more surelydisengaging the mail-matter, particularly where such mail-matter islonger than the usual size. It will further be understood that as themail-matter passes between the feed-rolls it is canceled by means of thecanceling-roll above referred to. Thus with our invention we haveprovided for not'only canceling the mail-matter, but also for stampingupon it the exact time of cancellation, the date, and the name of thepost-office.

Referring now to the mechanism for widening the receiving'andfeeding-spaces, it will be understood that we 'have provided side rails175, which are supported by pivoted standards 176, pivoted to base-rails177, supported in bearings 178. These side rails are each connected witha lever 179 by means of connecting-bars 180, such lever being pivoted onthe stud 181, carried by the inner end of the table or platform. (Seeparticularly Fig. 3.) The upper end of said lever is provided with ahandle 182, which has a stern 183, adapted to engage with a detent 184,supported in a bracket 185, projecting from said lever. (See Fig. 2.)This bracket is adapted to engage with notches 186 along the inner edgeof the curved bar 187, secured at its end to the partitions H and I,respectively. Tothe side rails 175 are secured side plates 189,respectively. These side plates are adjusted with the side rails, whichare readily ceases` and causes it to travel backward within thedelivery-space and yet holds such mail-matter from falling down upon itsfiat side, so thatit travels backward in the delivery-space upon edge.

Referring again to the partition H, it will be observed that on itsouter end is mounted fmgers d", (see Figs. 1 and 16,) preferablycomposed of spring material secured to the partition by means of screwsb'. These springfingers project sufficiently to prevent more than onepiece of mail-matter passing through the feed-rolls at one time. It willalso be observed that there is let into the partition 2 in front of theprinting-head a cushion 191, heldin position by means of screws 192.This cushion prevents the characters on the printing-head from becominginjured should the printing-head be operated without any mailmatter inthe machine. (See Figs. 1 and 5.) Should the clock run down or should itbreak or be omitted, the time-printing device can be set by taking holdof gear 84 with the fingers and turning the hour and minute shafts 71-and 75.

Thus it will be seen that we have provided a machine of the characterdescribed and have set forth and illustrated one (the preferred) type ofdetail organization and construction, which machine does these things,namely: It feeds the mail-matter to the printing position. .Its feedingmechanism then ceases to act on the mail-matter, so that it is in astate of momentary rest while being printed upon, (in which term weinclude date and place printing and time-printing.) It then delivers ordischarges the printed matter, and it finally kicks or ejects suchmatter back and away from the active parts of the machine along thedelivering-space, and it IOO IIO

continuously indicates the time such printing 'operations are performeda'nd al1 this withposition by said feeding mechanisms.

2. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a base, of feeding mechanism consisting `of a sliding feed andfeed-rolls adapted to feed mail-matter, a canceling-roll for acting uponsaid mailmatter as it is being fed, a dating and timeindicaiingmechanism, slidably mounted, for impressing said mail-matter afterpassing Said feed-rolls and canceling-roll, clock mechanismforcontrolling the movement of said timeindicating mechanism, and meansto impress the printing characters on said mail-matter, substantiallyasshown and described.

3. In a machine for cancelingand stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a base having suitable mail-matter-feeding mechanism mountedthereon, as also canceling mechan-v f said feeding mechanism, a hollowshaft or sleeve extending through said plunger and carrying anhour-indicating device on its outer end, ashaftextending through saidsleeve and carrying on its outer end a minutehand and connected at itsinner end with suitable clock mechanism, and gears between said shaftand sleeve to regulate the movement of the sleeve, dating mechanismcarried by said head and rotatably mounted therein, and means to holdsaid dating mechanism in its proper position to indicate the month, the

day of the month and the year, and means to 'to engage with one piece ofinail-matter at a time and present it to said feeding-rolls, acanceling-roll mounted on one of said feedvroll shafts and adapted tocancel said mailmatter as it passes between said rolls, dating andtime-printing mechanism mounted in close proximity to saidfeeding-rolls, inking devices for4 inking said canceling-roll and saidprinting mechanism, and means to reciprocate said printing mechanisminto con tact with saidmail-matter, and delivering mechanism fordelivering the mail-matter from the path of said printing mechanism intosaid delivering-space.

6. In a machine for canceling and stamping inail-matter, the combinationwith a base, of feed-rollshafts projecting through said base and upwardtherefrom, fixed bearings for one of said shafts, a yieldable bearingfor each end of the other of said shafts whereby said yield-` able shaftmay be separated from said xed shaft in such a manner that each of saidshafts may be parallel to each other, a pair of feed-rolls mounted onone of said shafts, one above the other with a space between them, and afeed-roll and a canceling-roll mounted on the other of said shafts witha space between them, said upper feed-rolls adapted to Contact with eachother and said lower feed-roll and canceling-roll also adapted tocontact with each other, gear mechanism connected with the lower ends ofsaid feedrollshafls andadapted to drive them, and a yieldableinking-roll for inking said canceling-roll,substantially as shown anddescribed.

7. Inamachine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a base having a pair of feed-roll shafts thereon, of drivingmechanism connected with the lower ends of said shafts and adapted torotate them,

yieldable bearings for one of said shafts and fixed bearings for theother of said shafts, a pai rof feed-rolls mounted on one of said shaftsand a feed-roll and canceling-roll mounted on the other of said shafts,each of said feed-rolls and canceling-roll having a portion ofr itsperiphery cut away whereby throughout a portion of their rotation theywill be out of contact with mail-matter, and an inking device for inking said canceling-roll, and areciproeating device for impressingmail-matter passing between said rolls when said rolls are out ofContact with said mail-matter,substantially as shown and described.

8. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a kbase or platform, of a plunger carrying a printinghead at oneend, a minute-shaft and an hourshaft extending through said plunger,timeprintingcharaclers carried at one end of each of said respectiveshafts and adapted to work in conjunction with and form a part of saidprinting-head, a double gear carried by the end of said plunger oppositethe printinghead, a gear on said minute-shaft meshing with one set ofgear-teeth on said double gear, a gear on said hour-shaft meshing withthe IIO other of said double gears, a clock for driving saidminute-shaft,and means to automatically reciprocate said plunger,together with said hour and minute shafts, said minute-shaft beingre'ciprocatingly connected with said clock mechanism, substantially asshown and described.

9. In a machine for canceling and stamping inail-matter, the combinationwith a base or platform, of an automatically-reciprocating plungermounted thereon. and means to effect such reciprocation, said plungercarrying a printing-head at its forward end, time-indicating mechanismcarried by said printinghead and adapted to be continuously oper' atedby a clock, dating mechanism also carried by said head and adapted to beadjusted to change the date,means to indicate whether a. m. or p. m.,and inking means for inking said printingface,substantially as shown anddescribed.

10. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a base or platform, of a plunger having-a longitudinal hole thereinand carrying at its outer end a printing-head, a sleeve or hour shaftmounted in said longitudinal hole, a minute-shaft mounted in saidhour-shaft and reciprocatingly connected with a clock, gears betweensaid hour and minute shafts for giving the proper relative movement, ahead carried by the hour-shaft and having an hour-indicating characterthereon, and ahead carried by said minute-shaft having aminute-indicating character thereon, such characters forming aprinting-surface in the face of the printinghead, dating rings or disksmounted in said head upon a shaft, each of said rings having a ratchetsecured thereto or projecting therefrom, pivoted detents engaging withsaid ratchets, and springs for holding said detents normally inengagement with said ratchets, a sleeve projecting from each of saiddisks and having a ilange with notches therein for inserting a spanner,whereby the dating rings or disks are partially rotated for changing thedates, and an inking-roller adapted to pass over the face of saidprinting-head and withdraw therefrom, and means to reciprocate saidplunger, and other means to operate said inkingroll,substantially asshown and described.

l1. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a base or platform, of a reciprocating plunger carrying aprinting-head at 'its forward end, dating characters, time charactersand the name of the town or city, together with the name of the State,characters, appearing in the face of said printing-head,clock-controlled means lfor indicating the time by said characters, and

hand means for manipulating the dating characters, and hand meansconsisting of a crank together with a spring-pressed detent in itshandle forchanging the A and P disk to represent forenoon orafternoomand the letter M also appearing in the printing-head yon theopposite side of the dial from the A and P disk, an inking-rollforengaging the face of said printing-head and withdrawing therefrom,and means for automatically reciprocating said plu nger,allsubstantially as shown and described.

l2. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a base or support carrying a printing-head, of an inking-rollsupport mounted thereon, a bifurcated bracket pivotally connected withsaid support, inking-roll arms pivot-ally connected with said bracket,an inking-roll mounted in said arms, and a spring engaging with one ofsaid arms and having its other end connected with said bifurcatedbracket, a shaft also engaging with said bifurcated bracket and eX-tending beneath the base or platform, a plate secured to its lower endand carrying a crankstud, a lever fulcrumed to the base and having oneend engaging with saidl crank-stud and its other end carrying a roller,a cam adapted to engage with said roller to rock said lever and therebyoperate the inking-roll back and forth across the face of theprinting-head, substantially as shown and described.

13. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a base or platform carrying printing mechanism, of a supportmounted thereon, a bifurcated bracket pivoted upon said support, aninking-roll hinged to said bracket, a spring between said in king-rolland bracket, a curved plate upon which said inking-roll is adapted totravel and against which itis held by said spring, a shaft connectedwith said bifurcated bracket, a clip adapted to embrace the lower end ofsaid shaft and secured thereto by means of a screw, a stud projectingfrom said clip, a pivoted lever having a slot at one end into which saidstud extends, a roller carried by the other end of said lever andadapted to engage with a driving-cam whereby said lever is rocked andsaid inking-roll is carried across and Withdrawn from the printingmechanism.

14:. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, thecombination with a base or support having a pair of shafts extendingupward therefrom, one of which shafts has a stationary bearing and theother of which has a yieldable bearing, a pair of deliveringrollsmounted on each shaft, one above the other, with a space between them,the periphery of one pair of said rolls on one shaft being Vcut ont, andmeans for rotating said shafts, substantially as shown and described.

l5. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a base, of a main driving-shaft extending downward therefrom, adriving bevel-gear mounted on said shaft, a bifurcated bracket securedto the base and carrying a shaft in one arm there- IIO shaft having oneend mounted in the other arm of said bifurcated bracket and at the otherend supported by the slidable bracket, a bevel-gear engaging with saiddeliveringshaftgear and also carrying another bevel or miter gearslidable thereon and adapted to engage with a driven ruiter-gearcarried. on the lower end of a second delivering-roll shaft, saiddelivering-roll shaft mounted on yieldable bearings whereby it willyield to accommodate various. thicknesses of mailmatter, anddelivering-rolls mounted on said shaft, substantially as shown anddescribed.

16. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a base or platform having a pair of guiding-partitions mountedthereon, of a pair ofside plates supported above said base or platformto form a space between them and said partitions, said plates hungupward on said side rails, a lever fulcrumed near the inner end of saidbase or platform and a pair of connectingrods connecting theirrespective side rails with said lever at either side of its pivot, a

segment having notches therein rigidly connected with said machineand adetent carried by saidl lever adapted to engage in said notches, saidlever being adapted to move so that its detents may engage in one ofsaid notches whereby the side plates and side rails may be adjusted inor out overthe platform, as desired, and held in such adjusted position.

17. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a base or platform having a delivering-space thereon, said basebeing slotted in said space, a follower-plate mounted upon said baseover said slot, a guide-plate beneath said base and adapted to extendinto said slot, and a clamping-screw adapted t-o extend through saidfollower-plate and into said guide-plate, a cord adapted to engage withsaid follower-plate and with a spring-operated drum to draw saidfollower-plate and guide-plate along said slot when not locked by theclamping-screw.

18. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a base or pedestal cupped out or depressed at its upper end andhaving flanges extending from its upper edges, a canceling and stampingmachine proper having a base or platform, and a casing projectingdownward therefrom, said casing adapted to lit within the depression insaid' pedestal and said base or platform upon the iianges extending fromsaid pedestal, substantially as shown and described.

19. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a base or platform having a feeding-space and a delivering-spacethereon, a pair ot' partitions rolls adapted to deliver the mail-matterinto said delivering-space after being acted upon by said printingmechanism, displacing or kicking mechanism for quickly throwing said. inail-matter out of the path of the succeeding piece of mail matter, and aholding-plate within said delivering-space for holding the mailmatterfrom falling over when acted upon by said kicking mechanism, allsubstantially as shown and described.

20. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a base, having a casing extending downward therefrom, of a maindriving-shaft having a bear.- ing near its upper end in said base and astepbearing for its lower end carried by said casing, a pair of ears anda cam and eccentric plates rigidly mounted thereon, one of said gearshaving a spur-tooth and a bevel-tooth, feed-roll shafts carryinggearingadapted to mesh with said spur and bevel gears, feedingrollshaving gears on their lower ends adapted to mesh with said spur andbevel gears, a pivoted yoke adapted to engage with theupper of saidcams, a pitman pivotally connected with said yoke, and with areciprocating feed-bar to reciprocate it, a canceling-roll, also carriedby one of said feed-roll shafts, and a plunger between the feed-rollshafts and the delivering-shafts carrying a printinghead, a rack carriedby said plunger and a sector engaging therewith, said sector beingoperated by said cam in one direction and in the other direction bymeans of a spring, inking-rolls for inking the canceling-roll andprinting-head, the .latter of which is operated into inking contact withsaid head by means of its connection with said driving-cam, and means toautomatically spread apart said feedrolls, said means also being drivenby said cam, and clock-controlled means forindicating the exact time, onmail-matter that the printing mechanism is reciprocated to stamp saidmail-matter, and means to drive said main driving-shaft, allsubstantially as shown and described.

21. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a partition having a slide mounted thereon, a bracket pivotallyconnected with said slide, an `inkingroll rotatably mounted in saidbracket, a spring connected to said pivoted bracket at one end and withsaid slide-bracket at its other end adapted to normally hold said-`inking-roll in contact with said canceling-roll, and a rack carried bysaid slide, and a segment adapted to engage with said rack to raise andlower said slide, said segment engaging with said partition to hold thesegment in the desired position.

IOO

IIO

loy

22. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationWith a snitable base, of feeding mechanism for the mailmatter, printingmechanism for said matter, substantially as this feature is described,delivery mechanism, time mechanism for continuously operating thetime-printing feature, and intermediary constructions and devices bywhich the feeding mechanism becOmes inactive on the mail-matter whilethe printing mechanism is Vimpressing said matter, and by which thedelivery mechanism becomes inactive upon the mail-matter when said printing operation ceases.

23. In a machine for canceling and stamping mail-matter, the combinationwith a suitable base, of feeding mechanism for the mailmatter,reciprocating printing mechanism for impressing said mail-matter,delivery mechanism, and intermediary constructionsand devices by whichsaid feeding mechanism releases said mail-matter, While the printingmechanism isimpressing said mat-ter, and by which the delivery mechanismbecomes active upon the mail-matter when said printing operation erases.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

WILFRED I. OHMER.

JOSEPH N. KELLY. v WALLACE M. KELCH. Witnesses:

JOSEPH LEITSCHUH, CHARLES W. ELLIFF.

